Village Zoning Code Update Project

Overview

The Village of Jackson has embarked on a comprehensive rewrite of Chapter 48 of the Village’s Ordinances, the Zoning Code, along with potential updates to other associated code sections. The last comprehensive update to the Village’s zoning ordinance was completed in 2017, which generally maintained the organizational structure and specific regulations from previous versions of the code, dating back to the 1960’s and 70’s. The intent of the Zoning Code Update Project is to make the Village’s code easier to understand and administer, modernized with current best practices, and compatible with the Village’s recent planning efforts including its Comprehensive Plan update.

As the Village moves forward through this process, the Village of Jackson community is invited to participate to help ensure the new Zoning Code best serves the community’s needs. This website will function as the central hub for the Zoning Code Update Project where you can find the latest on the rewrite process, provide feedback, view a calendar of events, and review relevant project information.

Why Update the Zoning Code?

The current zoning code is comprised of traditional residential zoning districts, business districts, manufacturing districts, as well as park and recreational, floodway, and institutional districts. It also relies heavily on PUD or Planned Unit Development District zoning for both residential and commercial development. The PUD zoning code lacks “uses by right” and other traditional zoning standards mandated under current law. Most of the Village’s downtown business and residential districts are non-conforming and outdated or absent use lists often make it difficult for businesses to locate in districts where they would otherwise be appropriate. Several piecemeal updates have been made throughout recent years, and while they have helped keep it functional, they have also introduced inconsistencies which complicate enforcement of the code.

To continue growing, and to continue providing housing and services for the existing population, the Village seeks to encourage both new development and redevelopment opportunities, higher densities, and mixed uses. The intended purpose of the Zoning Code update is to re-orient the Village toward a future growth pattern more focused on the Village defining and expanding uses by right, higher density residential development, and continued expansion of Village boundaries in more clear and concise language that is straightforward and simpler to navigate.

Project Goals:

• The new zoning ordinance will be simpler and more user friendly than the current ordinance. It will include charts, diagrams, tables, and other graphics where appropriate.
• The new ordinance will maintain consistency across all districts. Where applicable, lists of allowed uses will be broad based and adaptable to changing economic environments.
• The new ordinance will legalize traditional development patterns that are present in the Village’s older neighborhoods and provide flexibility to allow those neighborhoods to maintain their character and to redevelop.
• The new ordinance should have a hybrid format, including some elements of a traditional Euclidean framework, particularly in existing neighborhoods which developed under that framework, along with some elements of Form Based or other innovative systems such as middle housing, affordable rental and homeowner units, adaptive reuse, and accessory dwelling units.
• The new ordinance will provide for means to require Traffic Impact Analysis from a developer and set qualifying standards for such analysis.
• The new ordinance will give consideration towards regulation of special land uses including items such as antenna and other telecommunication facilities, publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations, Payday lenders, Adult Family Homes, Community Living Arrangements, Foster Homes, home occupations, solar and wind energy systems, and adult uses.
• The new ordinance will provide for updates to the existing sign code and incorporate “content neutral” regulations.
• The new ordinance will establish parameters for review and issuance of Conditional Uses.
• The new ordinance will update and codify the Plan Commission’s building and site design policies and ensure that the design review process is as simple and predictable as possible. This includes landscaping, outdoor lighting, building design/material, and site improvement requirements.
• The new ordinance will shift the focus away from density maximums to permitted housing types in the residential and any mixed-use zoning districts.
• The new ordinance should also create a framework to reduce the need to use Planned Unit Development ordinances for mixed use, commercial/industrial, and residential housing developments.
• The new ordinance will improve the review procedures to shorten review times while achieving the overall intent of the zoning code.
• The new ordinance will incorporate the Village’s Comprehensive Plan and will account for changes to the Land Use Plan. It will also incorporate recommendations from other planning documents, such as the Village of Jackson Zoning Code Audit Report, the Washington County Next Generation Housing Initiative, and the Village of Jackson Wastewater Treatment Facility Facilities Planning Document (available upon request).

Project Timeline

The Zoning Code Update Project will take place from Summer 2025 through Fall 2026.

• Project Start and Data Gathering | Summer 2025
• Issue Identification and Stakeholder Engagement | Summer - Fall 2025
• Drafting and Refinement | Fall 2025 - Summer 2026
• Open House and Online Survey | Summer 2026
• Formalize and Adoption | Fall 2026

Updates - Stay Tuned!

Public Participation Plan 

At its meeting on August 12, 2025, the Village Board, upon recommendation of the Plan Commission, adopted a public participation plan outlining how the public will be involved in the preparation, review, and adoption of the Village’s new zoning code.